Tigers GM: Ausmus will return as manager in 2016

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila announced Saturday that Brad Ausmus will return as the club's manager for the 2016 season.

Avila told reporters prior to Detroit's game against Minnesota at Target Field that Ausmus was informed of the decision Friday. The 46-year-old manager remains under contract through next season with a club option for 2017, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.

"I was relieved and excited," Ausmus said following the announcement.

Ausmus, in his second full season at the helm, has faced increasing criticism for the play of the last-place Tigers, who entered Saturday with their worst record (72-81) since 2008. Earlier this month, the Tigers denied reports that said they had already decided to fire Ausmus at the end of the season.

The reigning Central-division winners in each of the last four seasons have struggled to find consistency this year amid roster turnover, injuries, and front-office reshuffling. Prior to Avila's hiring, former general manager Dave Dombrowski traded slugger Yoenis Cespedes and ace David Price in a dismantling of the high-priced roster at the deadline.

"It is my belief, and our collective belief within our baseball operations department, that Brad is the right manager for this team given where the team is, at this point in time, and for us to achieve our goals in 2016," Avila said in a released statement. Collectively our goal is to bring a world championship to Tigers fans who support this team night in and night out."